In a stunning display of grit and skill, Joe Highsmith snagged his first PGA Tour win at the 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches on Sunday. He barely made the cut Friday with a clutch 5-foot birdie, then roared back with twin 64s—the lowest weekend in PGA National history. The 24-year-old lefty finished at 19-under, edging the field by two. This breakthrough nets him $1.656 million and a Masters invite.
Highsmith’s Sunday charge showcased his Titleist-packed bag. A Vokey SM10 wedge to 3 feet on 9 kicked things off, followed by an 18-foot birdie on 11 with his Scotty Cameron 009M putter. He tamed the Bear Trap and sank a 21-footer on 17 to seal it. His Titleist GT3 driver kept him steady all week.
This win caps a steady climb for Highsmith, a Pepperdine alum who turned pro in 2022. He earned his PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry in 2024 after a top-30 finish. Early 2025 showed promise but no hardware—until now. He’s the first since Brandt Snedeker in 2016 to win after scraping through the cut.
The Cognizant Classic’s Champion Course tested Highsmith’s mettle, and he answered. Saturday’s 64 featured six birdies and an eagle, vaulting him into contention. His Titleist T200 2-iron shone on the par-5s, while Vokey wedges carved up the Bear Trap’s tight lies. By Sunday, he’d turned a survival story into a coronation.
Highsmith’s rise isn’t just about one week—it’s a tale of persistence paying off. At Pepperdine, he racked up accolades, including a 2021 NCAA runner-up finish. The Korn Ferry grind honed his game, and now this win unlocks Augusta, the PGA Championship, and more. His bag, blending Titleist precision and Scotty Cameron magic, has the golf world buzzing.
